The Saou Forest, returning via the Pas de la Motte

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The heart of the Saou Forest has a very distinctive atmosphere for the region, with its dense vegetation, gorges and cliffs. You might feel as though you’re in another country. A few routes published on Visorando pass through this forest, but they all differ in terms of the return route. Here we suggest a relatively challenging route that will take you along the northern ridges and through its beautiful landscapes.

Please note that the route passes through a wildlife sanctuary. Certain sections are off-limits between 15 May and 15 July. Special signage and a diversion from the GR®9 have been put in place to guide walkers; seehere. 

Details

n°3948481
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 10.19 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 7h 35 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 3,297 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 3,278 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 4,501 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,555 ft
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Description of the walk

Please note: make sure you download the route details beforehand, in Saou at the latest, as there is generally no mobile signal at the start due to the steep, enclosed valley.
Car park at the end of the road leading to the Auberge des Dauphins.

(S/E) From the car park, continue along the road, which is usually closed off by a barrier.

(1) Ignore the return path on the left and walk past the Auberge des Dauphins. Carry on straight ahead, ignoring any side paths. The track turns into a path that climbs up the Vèbre and through the Saou Forest, without any junctions, and ends at the Virage du Pré de l’Âne.

(2) Turn left and follow the track for about 1.5 km.

(3) Leave the main track to the right and head up another signposted track. Ignore a turn-off to the right.

(4) At the junction, take the signposted path leading uphill to the left.

(5) When you reach the Pas de la Laveuse (signpost), follow the path to the left, towards the Pas de la Motte, for 100 m, to reach the edge of the cliff. The Œil de la Laveuse offers a stunning view of Saillans below. It is possible to continue, with caution, along the cliff edge to the left to see an impressive canyon. Back on the path, at the end of the cirque, a short detour to the right takes you to a promontory which also offers a fine view of the canyon.

(6) At Pas des Auberts, carry on straight ahead and ignore the path branching off to the right.

(7) About fifty metres before the Pas de la Motte, turn left onto the path leading downhill. Join a wide track.

(8) Turn right onto it and follow it for 4 km.

(9) Leave the track and take a signposted path on the left which leads back, just upstream of the Auberge des Dauphins, to the track you took on the way out.

(1) Follow it to the right as far as the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 1,555 ft - Auberge des Dauphins car park - Vèbre (rivière) - Affluent du Roubion
  2. 1 : mi 0.28 - alt. 1,588 ft - Junction of the circular loop
  3. 2 : mi 3.52 - alt. 3,976 ft - Virage du Pré de l’Âne
  4. 3 : mi 4.48 - alt. 3,914 ft - Track on the right
  5. 4 : mi 4.92 - alt. 4,327 ft - Path on the left
  6. 5 : mi 5.08 - alt. 4,501 ft - Rocher de la Laveuse
  7. 6 : mi 5.52 - alt. 4,078 ft - Pas des Auberts
  8. 7 : mi 6.37 - alt. 3,793 ft - Pas de la Motte
  9. 8 : mi 6.68 - alt. 3,297 ft - Track, to the right
  10. 9 : mi 9.16 - alt. 2,100 ft - Path on the left
  11. S/E : mi 10.19 - alt. 1,555 ft - Auberge des Dauphins car park

Notes

Allow 6 hours for a keen walker, including a lunch break

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

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Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 3 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
5 / 5
Route interest
4.3 / 5
Micsch
Micsch

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 02, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A hike in bright sunshine, which makes for good visibility in the Grande Combe. Plenty of shade along the route. Two fairly steep descents after La Laveuse. Superb views over the Drôme valley and the Saou valley. Due to the lack of sunshine, some sections in the Grande Combe may feel a bit oppressive.

Machine-translated

zyme16
zyme16
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 03, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant walk, but if you’re in the area anyway, why not make the most of it and add the 3 Becs to your route: at point 2 (the bend at Pré de l’Âne), head towards Pas de Siara; once you reach it, simply head uphill and follow the path along the ridges to reach point 5, Pas de la Laveuse – making for a hike totalling 18 km with 1,400 metres of elevation gain. The view will more than make up for this little extra effort, and for those put off by the idea of climbing to the summit, you can take a detour along the same path to reach only the passes between each peak – so you really have no excuses.

Machine-translated

Laurent P5
Laurent P5

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 16, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

My app showed a distance of 17.960 km and an elevation gain of 1240 m.
A lovely walk to do again in summer, as it’s nice and cool and there’s plenty of shade.
A lovely forest to walk through, with the sound of babbling brooks and birdsong.
A real pleasure.

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Walking In the footsteps of the Huguenots in the Saoû Forest

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Walking Les Clos - Saoû Forest

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↔3.05 mi ↗+630 ft ↘-620 ft ◔1h 55 ▲Easy
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↔16.52 mi ↗+5,686 ft ↘-5,689 ft ◔8 hrs ▲Very difficult
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The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.